Local Union 271

About Local Union 271

Local Union 271 is a family-owned restaurant at 271 University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. The name points to the idea behind it. The restaurant describes itself as a circle of farms, ranches, dairies, hatcheries, bakeries, fisheries, breweries and wineries. It says these local partnerships are the core of its mission. Its mission statement talks about uniting local food and drink in a comfortable setting hand-crafted by local artisans.

The kitchen serves brunch, lunch and dinner with a California American menu. Expect burgers, salads, bowls and egg dishes rather than formal plated courses.

Where the ingredients come from

Unlike many restaurants that simply say "local," Local Union 271 publishes its supplier list. It names, among others:

• Produce and eggs: Happy Boy Farms and Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville, Dirty Girl Farms in Santa Cruz and Glaum Ranch eggs
• Meat and seafood: Hobb's Applewood Meats, Diestel Turkey, Dittmer's of Mountain View, Molinari of San Francisco, Tomales Bay Oyster Company, Snake River Farms and Mary's organic air-chilled chicken
• Dairy: Laura Chenel goat cheese, Marin French Cheese and Straus Family Creamery
• Bread and pasta: Petite Pains Bakery in Burlingame, Kelly Bakery in Santa Cruz and Saporito Pasta in Redwood City

Supplier names show up on the menu too, such as Kelly rustic bread, Happy Boy Farms beets and Hobbs bacon.

What is on the menu

Brunch runs every day. On weekdays a special brunch menu is served from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On weekends brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch classics include gluten-free chilaquiles, a dish called the Hangover Cure with eggs, avocado and salsa verde, vegetarian huevos rancheros, avocado toast and steak and eggs. Omelets and scrambles can be built from a long list of add-ons.

For sharing, the menu lists turmeric roasted cauliflower with Calabrian chili oil, hot honey roasted Brussels sprouts, deviled eggs with bacon and truffle oil, truffle mac and cheese and cheesy garlic bread. Salads include a Happy Boy Farms beet salad, a romaine Caesar, a seasonal autumn salad and a Cobb tower. Gluten-free bowls range from a lemongrass curry vegan bowl and a Buddha bowl to an ahi poke bowl.

Burgers are griddled in duck fat and made with grass-fed beef. Options include The Local Duck Fat 271, a Double Barrel BBQ Burger and a "Royale with Cheese." Tacos come with Mary's organic chicken or sustainable salmon. Menus change with the seasons, so check the current version online.

Dietary notes

The restaurant calls its daytime menu almost 100 percent gluten free, or able to be made that way on request. It also states plainly that the kitchen handles gluten, tree nuts, shellfish and soy, so cross contact cannot be ruled out. Vegetarian and vegan diners have dedicated choices such as the huevos rancheros and the lemongrass curry bowl.

Happy hour, parties and catering

Happy hour runs seven days a week from 3 to 6 p.m. on the patio, in the dining room and at the bar counter. The restaurant hosts private parties with customizable menus and drink specials. It also posts seasonal events such as a Halloween party. Catering covers birthday parties, holiday parties, corporate events and weddings. Gift cards and online ordering are available on the website.

Who it suits

Local Union 271 is a flexible choice. It handles a long weekend brunch with friends, a casual weekday lunch and an after-work drink during happy hour. The menu has something for meat lovers, vegetarians and gluten-free diners at the same table, which helps with mixed groups. The patio is part of the happy hour setup, so ask for an outdoor table when the weather is good. For a quiet, formal dinner, downtown has more traditional dining rooms.

Tips for visiting

The restaurant recommends reserving ahead, which is especially sensible for weekend brunch. Reservations go through OpenTable or by phone. Local Union 271 is a short walk from the Palo Alto Caltrain station and sits near the Stanford Theatre. Our downtown Palo Alto guide covers parking. For more weekend options, see our brunch guide. For evening drinks, try our guide to bars, wine and beer.

Location and getting there

Local Union 271 is at 271 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.

The Palo Alto Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

Hours

Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.

What is nearby

• Miniso, shop, under 0.1 mi
• Arnoldi Jewelers, store, under 0.1 mi
• Fidelity Investments Palo Alto, service business, under 0.1 mi
• LensCrafters, practice, under 0.1 mi
• KEEN Garage, store, under 0.1 mi
• University Avenue, under 0.1 mi
• Cogswell Plaza, under 0.1 mi
• Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi

Other restaurants nearby: Oren's Hummus Shop (under 0.1 mi); Ettan (under 0.1 mi); Nola (under 0.1 mi); Bevri (under 0.1 mi). Browse the full restaurants list.

Before you go

• Popular dinner spots in Palo Alto fill up on Friday and Saturday nights, so book ahead where the restaurant takes reservations.
• Many kitchens close earlier than in big cities. Plan to order by about 9 p.m. on weeknights unless the posted hours say otherwise.
• If you have allergies or dietary needs, call ahead or check the current menu on the restaurant's website.

About this listing

Checked October 30, 2026 against Local Union 271 official website; About us and local partners; Food menu. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions